Guide to Driving in Belgium

Even if Belgium is a relatively small country, an important attention is given to the conditions of the roads. You won’t see things like potholes or bumps anywhere in Belgium. Even after a rough winter, the government acts fast and repairs all the damage. Remember that the traffic is on the right and overtakes are on the left. Road signs are respecting the ‘Vienna convention on Road Signs and Signals’, so you shouldn’t have a problem interpreting them. When you reach an unmarked intersection give way to vehicles that are coming from your right. Parking in large cities is often a problem, but fortunately there are enough blue zones which allow drivers to park their car safely. There are also parking lots marked with the P indicator; often you’re required to pay a tax. A warning triangle and a reflecting vest are a must when it comes to necessary equipment. Also, if your trip is somewhere between November and March you should ensure that the car has winter tires on. On particular sections of the roads there can be icy snow. Drivers are often polite with visitors because they understand that tourists might not now all the driving rules in Belgium.

Police cars in Belgium are quite distinctive and easy to recognize. They are painted in white with numerous blue stripes in the rear end. The front bumper and the rear bumper might be painted in orange. Look for the word ‘POLITIE’ and for the light beacons in order to confirm your suspicions. Note that some of these cars have built-in speeding cameras and they could be right behind the next corner. Fines for speeding start from 200E and can reach up to 1,700E. It’s up to you to avoid nasty situations. Speeding cameras are also mounted on some sections of the most important roads.

Essential Driving Information

You are allowed to use the mobile phone only when the car is stationary with the engine turned off. If you want to use it while driving, make sure you use a hands-free device attached to it.

Seatbelts are mandatory for all the passengers of the vehicle.

You must drive with the dipped beam on only when the visibility decreases.

In terms of documents you need your identification card, car’s insurance, car’s registration certificate, national driver’s license and an international driver’s permit.